Churchill Downs

On Jan. 29, it will have been a year since 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized after being so badly injured in the Preakness. Since Barbaro died, the colt's owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, have mulled where they would like to place Barbaro's ashes. Gretchen said yesterday they are getting close to a decision, but are not ready to reveal which way they might be leaning. Churchill Downs, where the colt was so dazzling in the Derby, is one logical destination, especially if the Jacksons want the public to have access to the site.

Possible Kentucky Derby favorite Afleet Alex worked five furlongs in 59 seconds yesterday at Churchill Downs in preparation for the May 7 Run for the Roses. The Delaware Park-based colt's fractions were 12 2/5 seconds, 24, 35 2/5, and 46 3/5, with a six-furlong gallop-out in 1 minute, 12 2/5 seconds. It was the fastest workout of the 29 horses going that distance and 1 2/5 seconds better than the second-fastest work. "Everything was exactly what we wanted," trainer Tim Ritchey told Bloodhorse.

The Kentucky State Veterinarian's office is investigating an unconfirmed case of West Nile virus at Churchill Downs. Rusty Ford, equine programs manager at the state veterinarian's office, told the track that preliminary test results on a horse that was euthanized last month indicated the animal suffered from West Nile virus, Churchill Downs said in a statement last night. Further tests were being conducted to confirm the diagnosis, and results should be available in a week to 10 days, the statement said.

Nearly a year after the first fatal injury at America's most famous horse race, Churchill Downs announced yesterday it is beefing up safety requirements ahead of this year's Kentucky Derby. The company is enacting more than 20 changes, ranging from enhanced drug testing to limits on whips and racing ages, in time for the start of the spring meet at its signature track in Louisville, Ky. Other Churchill-owned tracks, including Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill.; Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Fla.; and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, will follow by next year.

Horse racing fans may hear the bugler's "Call to the Post" under the lights for the first time at Churchill Downs. The home of the Kentucky Derby is hoping to bring in temporary lights to experiment with 3 nights of racing for the upcoming spring meet. Churchill is seeking approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which meets next Tuesday. Track spokesman John Asher said yesterday that Churchill wants to "test the waters" with nighttime racing June 19 and June 26 - both Fridays - and Thursday, July 2. First post would be 6 p.m., and the 11 races each night would continue until about 11 p.m., he said.

Every horse that races at Churchill Downs will have a full exam, including an endoscopic search of its nostrils for sponges, the Kentucky Racing Commission decided yesterday during an emergency meeting in Frankfort. The meeting was called after Churchill officials found a sponge in the nostril of Early Conquest before a race Thursday and in both nostrils of Class O Lad on Saturday. Both horses were the favorites in their races, and both came up short on the track. "It was a surprise and obviously bothersome to the racing community," said Bernie Hettel, the Kentucky Racing Commission's executive director and chief steward.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In the final days before the 2006 Kentucky Derby, Michael Matz could not contain his enthusiasm for Barbaro's chances. The colt looked so good on the track in the mornings that the trainer just knew Barbaro was sitting on the race of his life. No horse can glow quite as Barbaro did that spring, but when Union Rags arrived on the Churchill Downs surface yesterday at 8:30 a.m., the unbeaten 2-year-old looked plenty good enough. With the glare of the track's lights shining down on them, dozens of Breeders' Cup horses were on the track by 6 a.m. Matz waited for the sun until he brought the big horse out of Barn 22. With exercise rider Peter Brette aboard, Union Rags trailed stablemate Somali Lemonade as they walked around the outside of the track past the finish line to the paddock entrance.

How fast is Pulpit, the newest racetrack sensation and future book Kentucky Derby favorite? So fast that only seven colts will face him in today's $500,000 Florida Derby, which equals the smallest field in 15 years. So fast that some rival trainers are just hoping for the second-place money of $95,000. So fast that, as a 2-year-old, Pulpit outran his bones and had to be taken out of training before he seriously hurt himself. Up to 30,000 spectators are expected at Gulfstream Park when the undefeated bay colt goes to post (Channel 6, 4:47 p.m.)

As one of the shortest-priced favorites ever to compete in a stakes race at Philadelphia Park, Jostle drew away to a 4 1/2-length victory yesterday in the $200,000 Cotillion Handicap. The result was no surprise but just what her trainer had hoped for in preparation for the biggest test of her career. Jostle, the nation's leading 3-year-old filly, is stabled at Philadelphia Park, but she was making her first appearance there. Jostle, under Mike Smith, circled the field on the final turn with an impressive acceleration and fought off Gold For My Gal in the stretch to win the Grade II stakes.

Kentucky Derby winner Orb pleased trainer Shug McGaughey on Thursday with a steady workout on a sloppy track at Belmont Park. "He jogged three-eighths to a half-mile and galloped a mile. I thought everything was good," said McGaughey, whose colt had jogged a mile Wednesday at the track in Elmont, N.Y., in his first workout since his 21/2-length victory at Churchill Downs on Saturday. "The track was still sloppy," he said. "[Exercise rider Jenn Patterson] said he was kind of bucking and playing and jumping the water puddles on the backstretch.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The four of them will be sitting on Millionaires Row, which only begins to hint at their real worth, and rooting for a horse named Normandy Invasion. "If he's as lucky as the rest of us," said 90-year-old Ray Woods, with a nod toward his friends, "he'll win. " Woods and the others will be rooting for Rick Porter's bay at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday because of what the horse owner has done for vets. For most of his 20 years in the business, the ex-soldier has been naming horses to honor veterans.

Parx Racing will resume live racing Friday with a first post of 12:25 p.m. There also will be early wagering on Saturday's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Friday's simulcast schedule is highlighted by Kentucky Oaks Day. Fans can wager on a daily double coupling the Kentucky Oaks and Saturday's Kentucky Derby. For Kentucky Derby Saturday, the track will open at 10 a.m., with simulcasting beginning at Churchill at 10:30. The live program will begin at 12:25 p.m.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Bob Baffert won't be saddling a horse in the Kentucky Derby, for the first time since 2008. The Hall of Fame trainer said Monday that Govenor Charlie would not run in Saturday's Run for the Roses. His other possibility, Code West, also won't compete in the Derby at Churchill Downs. Sunland Derby winner Govenor Charlie was 11th on the points leaderboard that determines the 20-horse field for the 11/4-mile race. Code West was ranked 21st. Baffert hasn't been on the Derby sidelines since 2007 and 2008.

  1. Verrazano (Todd Pletcher, trainer; John Velazquez, jockey): Worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 Sunday at Churchill Downs, third fastest of 40 at the same distance. ... Wood winner is unbeaten in all four starts and will try to become the eighth unbeaten Derby winner. ... Final Derby future wager odds: 7-1. 2. Orb (Shug McGaughey, Joel Rosario): Fountain of Youth, Florida Derby winner worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 Sunday at Payson Park. ... Gets original rider back now that Johnny V has chosen Verrazano.

WHEN UNION RAGS finished his 2-year-old season, the colt did not need to earn any more money to get a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Under a new points system announced Thursday by Churchill Downs to determine the now-normal 20-horse Derby field, 2-year-old form will be much less relevant. The system does not include races at less than a mile or races restricted to fillies. Instead of the old graded stakes earnings that could be won in 185 races worldwide, points can be earned in only 36 stakes races, only one on grass.

The True North Handicap Belmont Park, Race 7 - Post 3:15 $400,000 (G II), 3 y.o. & up, 6 furlongs 1. Pacific Ocean. . . Joel Rosario. . . 5-1 2. Crossbow. . . Ramon Dominguez. . . 12-1 3. Smiling Tiger. . . Mike Smith. . . 5-2 4. Hamazing Destiny. . . Corey Nakatani. . . 8-1 5. Royal Currier. . . Rajiv Maragh. . . 12-1 6. Giant Ryan. . . Willie Martinez. . . 3-1 7. Caixa Eletronica. . . Javier Castellano. . . 4-1 8. Justin Phillip.